Apparatus for cleaning hypodermic needles



April 28, 1953 P. s. BUECH'EL 2,636,502 APPARATUS FOR CLEANING HYPODERMIC NEEDLES Filed Sept l2 1949 g', \\\\w\\\\\\\\\\m W 25..

INVENTOR. PAULINE '3 ELMA B UE CHEL.

3 BYW .A T TDHNEY Patented Apr. 28, 1953 UNITED PATENT EHCE 2,636,502 APPARATUsF'oR CLEANING monramc NEEDLES Pauline .Selma"Buechel, niehmimsgma. Application sepremser 12, 1949, serial-nu. 115,295 2 iolaiims. (o1. ras es) invention relates to an apparatus ifor cleaning hypodermic needles and the like.

-ne-aobjeet of the invention :is to provide an equipment by means of which hypodermic needles may be rapidly and thoroughly cleaned with the minimum of efiort and the least amount of handling.

Another object of the invention is to providea cleaning apparatus for subjecting a hypodermic. needle to forced streams of different cleaning compounds in rapid succession.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel and convenient pressure control device adapted for easy and convenient operation by the manipulator.

Another object of the invention is to provide a pressure applying and pressure release connection which may be easily controlled simultaneously by pressure applied by the thumb and forefinger of the hand of the manipulator.

The invention also features the assembly and arrangement of the apparatus for eliminating lost motion in the operation of the apparatus.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

Fig. 1 is a view in front elevation of an apparatus embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is an end elevational view with a part of a container broken away.

Fig. 3 is a detail sectional view of a connection between the pressure tank and a container, and Fig. 4. is a detail View of a drying connection.

As shown in the drawings, a plurality of substantially gas tight containers 5, 6 and l, in the form of glass jars, are mounted upon a supporting platform or base 8. Each of the containers 5, 6 and l is screw-threaded on its open end to receive a self-sealing cap I0. A pair of tubes l2 and is are sealed through a cylindrical portion of each cap Ill. The inner end M of the tube l2 opens above the mouth of the container. The inner end l of the tube i3 extends downwardly to open near the bottom of the container with which it is associated. The outer end of each tube I2 is joined with a fluid connector It, by a coupling ll. upon the platform, and connected to a pipe l8, located beneath the platform. The pipe [8 is connected with a pressure tank containing nitrogen through a shutofi valve 2! and pressure gauge 22.

Each of the fluid connectors 16 contains a spring restored valve operable by a plunger located in a position convenient for the thumb of a manipulator. An escape port opening 26 (Fig.

The fluid connector I6 is supported *2 t) ispr'ovi'ded' through the want? "the fluid conhector ["6 1diai'n'et'ri c'ally opposite [but slightly above the plunger The port '26 is located in such position relative to the plunger 25 that the forefinger-cr me manipuratorwiu naturally into position "to cover the port '26 when the thumb is applied for manipulation of the plunger 25. The internal details of the valves operated by the plungers 25 are shown in Figure 3.

The outer end of each tube I3 terminates in a nipple 30, adapted to receive a thimble 3|, of a hypodermic needle 32 (Fig. 2). A catch basin 33 may be supported upon the platform below the discharge end of the needle 32.

An extra fluid connector 35 is mounted at one end of the platform 8. This fluid connector is provided with the inlet valve and plunger 25 but does not contain the escape port opening. A fixture (Fig. 4) comprising a tube 31, equipped with a nipple 38, is connected with the upper end of the fluid connector 35. This fixture is provided for the purpose of forcing a drying stream of nitrogen through the needle after it has been treated with the cleansing fluid from the several containers.

The equipment is so designed that the containers may be spaced apart in alignment to provide the minimum space required for convenient operation of the valves by the manipulator with the least amount of lost motion. One of the containers may be supplied with a soap and water solution, a second with clear water, and the third with alcohol.

In cleaning a needle, it will be treated sequentially with the soap solution, the clear water, the alcohol, and finally the drying stream. The order of the location of the container for the soap solution and the container for the alcohol may be a matter of choice to suit the manipulator.

The operation is simple and obvious. The manipulator applies the needle to the outlet jet of the cleaning unit with one hand and simultaneously presses the plunger 25 with the thumb of the other hand while covering the escape port opening 26 with the forefinger of the same hand. This builds up the pressure in the container to force the liquid through the needle. Releasing the pressure of the thumb and forefinger will shut oh the pressure and at the same time provide a release for the pressure in the container. A reasonably dexterous manipulator can run the complete cycle of cleaning a needle in a fraction of a minute.

The advantages of the apparatus in hospitals,

clinics, or in the armed forces, Where mass in oculations are required, is obvious.

Although I have shown and described my invention with respect to certain details of construction, it is to be understood that I do not wish to be unduly limited thereto, certain modifications being possible without departing from the spirit or scope of my invention.

I claim: r

1. An apparatus for cleaning hypodermic needles comprising in combination a substantial- 1y gas tight container for cleaning fluid, an inlet connection for the needle from the container, a

source of gas under pressure, a fluid connector from the pressure source to the container, a spring returned plunger valve in the fluid connector operable by the thumb of the manipulator, said connector also being provided with a pressure relief port adjacent the valve to be closed and opened by the finger of the manipulator.

,2. An apparatus for cleaning hypodermic needles, asupporting base, a plurality of substantially gas tight containers for cleaning fluid supported upon the base, an outlet for each container, a nipple for each outlet adapted to receive the thimble of a hypodermic needle, a gas pressure source, a connection from the pressure source to the interior of each container supported upon the base, and a spring restored valve in each connection from the pressure tank to a container operable by the thumb of the manipulator to supply pressure to the associated container, each connection also being provided with .a gas release port opening adjacent the valve for engagement by the forefinger of the manipulator.

PAULINE SELMA BUECHEL.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Number 9 Name Date 1,529,168 Cleveland Mar. 10, 1925 1,820,552 Wooley Aug. 25, 1931 1,868,893 Gentle July 26, 1932 1,887,985 Auker Nov. 15, 1932 I 1,891,592 Fitzgerald Dec. 20,1932

1,892,093 Battistella' Dec. 27, 1932 1,934,826 Shepherd Nov. 14, 1933 2,035,513 Speranza Mar. 31, 1936 2,306,926 Allen Dec. 29, 1942 Stevens May 22, 1951 

